World's Largest Network of Marine Parks

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• published: 09 May 2013
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Former Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Tony Burke. In November last year, Environment Minister, Tony Burke announced that Australia had developed a world-leading network of marine reserves. The vast majority of the new Commonwealth marine reserves will remain open to recreational fishing. In fact 96 per cent of the Commonwealth waters within 100 kilometres of the coast are open to rec fishers. Rec fishes map: http://bit.ly/11ZnO4l The new Commonwealth marine reserves were only established after an unprecedented consultation with rec fishers, commercial fishers and tourism operators and other stakeholder groups. We've used the best available science, talked to stakeholders, made and revised plans based on community consultation and delivered 59 special marine parks that will now protect over 2.7 million square kilometres of Australia's marine environment. http://www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves In interviews for this video, many significant celebrities acknowledged the outstanding contribution the Australian Government had made to ocean conservation. Sir Richard Branson, Entrepreneur and Ocean Elder, said - "Well it's no surprise Australia is leading the world again." This plan will join the Coral Sea with the Great Barrier Reef, to create the largest Marine National Park anywhere in the world. "I'm happy to support this Marine National Park and I hope you will join all of us in whatever way you can to keep it the wonderful place that it is for generations to come." Ian Kiernan, Founder of Clean up Australia, said - "When it comes to Australia's oceans, I think it's about time we cleaned up our act. In 1986 I sailed solo around the world and saw first-hand how our oceans were being used as garbage dumps, out of sight and out of mind. That led me to start Clean Up Australia and it also made me determined to promote the idea of protecting the oceans that our surround our country. Less than five per cent of the 16.5 million square kilometres of seas that 'girt' our shores are protected, despite many of our marine species being found nowhere else in the world. Finally, that is changing." "The Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network means we have, for the first time, a continuous, protected band that ensures we can't take our oceans for granted. It's my hope that countries around the world will see this, and realise that it is possible, on a grand scale, to preserve our marine environment; to keep it healthy, to keep it stocked with the fish we need to eat... and the diverse range of species and life that our planet needs to sustain us all." Jackie Chan, movie star, said - "I love Australia because my parents lived there for 46 years. Now I have another reason to love Australia, it is home the world's largest network of Marine Parks." Jean-Michel Cousteau, world renowned environmentalist, said -- "This plan to create the Commonwealth Marine National Park Network is nothing short of a dream come true. We need these Marine National Parks, and many more like it around the world." When I look in the eyes of a child and say we are doing everything to ensure you have the same privilege that I have - then we know we are getting somewhere, and this is what this park is going to provide. We have enough science and knowledge today to know that we need to have more in protected areas. Jackson Browne, singer song writer and Ocean Elder said- "I've heard the Coral Sea Marine National Park described as the Jewell in the Crown and it's easy to see why that is. In some parts, it's only a few metres deep around shallow reefs; in others it's almost five kilometres deep and we still don't know what's down there... what we have. What we do know is that around the world coral reefs are disappearing faster than rainforests. We also know that this part of our oceans is one of the last untouched marine environments on Earth." Neil Young, singer song writer and Ocean Elder, said - "These Marine National Parks are the same as Land National Parks, except they're in our Oceans. We thank you and we ask you to support the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network." Brooke Hanson, Swimming legend and environmentalist, said - "Sadly, we do have a huge impact on our oceans. In fact, when scientists finally mapped that impact they found that almost no areas have been left pristine and that 40% of our oceans have been heavily affected by our behaviour. Australia's marine reserves will cover one-third of Australian waters including the Coral Sea and the southwest coast of Western Australia."